Ford to auction world's first 2015 Mustang GT for charity

Ford has announced it will auction off the world's first production copy of its all-new 2015 Mustang GT at the annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, Ariz., auction in January. (Ford)

Ford will auction off for charity the world's first production version of the all-new Mustang in January, the automaker has announced. Just don't expect it to go for cheap.

The 2015 Mustang GT will be offered without reserve on Jan. 18 at the annual Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which finances research for a cure for Type 1 diabetes worldwide.

"JDRF is very grateful for the generous and steadfast support from Ford and its employees over the years," said Jeffrey Brewer, president and CEO of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, in a statement. "It is an incredible honor to be a part of Mustang's 50th celebration and we are so thankful for the donation of the auction proceeds which will go directly to JDRF's type 1 diabetes research programs."

The Mustang offered will be the top-end GT model, which will come with a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that makes more than 420 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The new owner will choose either a manual or automatic transmission and will be able to douse the Mustang in whatever interior, exterior and stripe combination he or she likes from among Ford's production palette.

While the 2015 Mustang GT will likely sell for $35,000 to $40,000 when it goes on sale in late 2014, it's possible that the version offered in January could fetch as much as $1 million.

Not only is such a low-numbered production car a potential collectors' item years in the future, it also gives deep-pocketed car fans a way to donate money and fill up their garage at the same time. Automakers benefit because the arrangement raises the profile of a seminal new vehicle, as well as a healthy sum for a charity's coffers.

Yet the winning bidder will still need to wait some time before parking the 2015 Mustang in the garage. While the version sold will be the first off the assembly line, production on the car won't start until later in 2014.